Pratik Gandhi appeals amid Phule controversy: 'Watch the film, then decide'

Phule was supposed to be released on April 11, 2025, which happened to be the same day as the 197th birth anniversary of social reformer Jyotirao Govindrao Phule. However, the film has now been postponed, and Pratik Gandhi is disappointed about it. The new release date for the biographical drama is April 25.

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Backlash following trailer release

Ananth Narayan Mahadevan's Phule, also starring Patralekhaa as Savitribai Phule, was met with criticism from some Brahmins after the teaser for the film was released on April 10. The film was asked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove terms like "Mang," "Mahar," and "Peshwai" and change the line "3,000 saal purani ghulami" to "kai saal purani ghulami" after they gave the film a "U" certificate on April 7. The filmmakers had followed the board's suggestions, according to Mahadevan.

Pratik, who portrays the titular role of Jyotirao Phule, told PTI in response to the unexpected delay that he was shooting somewhere when he came to know that the film was pushed back by two weeks. Immediately, he felt discouraged. However, after speaking with the makers, the actor learnt the reasoning. The factors mentioned were beyond their control.

Missed opportunity and acceptance

He expressed disappointment over the celebration of Jyotirao Phule's 197th anniversary on April 11. If the film had released on April 11, a pivotal date, it might have made history. But eventually, it's all for the best.

There are certain things that were asked to be softened a little and communicated differently," the Scam 1992 actor said of the requests made to the crew for "certain amendments" to the final cut. To the best of his knowledge, the film has undergone all possible modifications without any alterations or damage.

Adding, also, there was a sudden uproar by a set of people who felt that it was against them or their ideology; he recognised the protests from a sector of viewers. For whatever reason, April 25 seemed like a more suitable date for the producers and distributors.

Pratik Gandhi's appeal to the Brahmin community

The actor urged the Brahmin community to hold off on making judgements until they had seen the entire film. Despite understanding their perspective, Pratik was still taken aback by the reply. He merely wants them to watch the entire film before forming an opinion, as what they have seen thus far is only a trailer. Therefore, the scenes they have seen so far do not provide a complete understanding of the film.

In an earlier interview with PTI, Mahadevan called the issue around Phule "unnecessary" and said that the film had already included all of the CBFC's recommendations. He said the film had "nothing objectionable" in it, so the release date was moved to clear the controversy.

With support from Dancing Shiva Films and Kingsmen Productions, Zee Studios will release Phule to theatres.